why do many MAs and CNAs call themselves nurses?

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As I was taking care of a pt, she mentions she's also a nurse. I asked what her specialty is and where she works at. She says she works at a clinic as an MA. In my head, in what universe is an MA a nurse?!

Just finished staying with my mom during her Moh's procedure. The dermatologist introduced the NA as her "nurse". My face involuntarily rearranged itself into the "you've got to be $#%+ING me pose". As soon as they left, I turned to my mother and said "that girl is NOT a nurse, she's an aide. I don't care what the doctor says, don't take ANY medical advice from the aide."

The clinic will be hearing from me shortly.

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Just finished staying with my mom during her Moh's procedure. The dermatologist introduced the NA as her "nurse". My face involuntarily rearranged itself into the "you've got to be $#%+ING me pose". As soon as they left, I turned to my mother and said "that girl is NOT a nurse, she's an aide. I don't care what the doctor says, don't take ANY medical advice from the aide."

The clinic will be hearing from me shortly.

I hope your Mom is okay!

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Clowns. Dolls. Closed MRIs.

I wouldn't say I have a phobia of clowns. I certainly hate them and think that they are the creepiest things ever, but not to the extent of a phobia. I HATE spiders though. If one was on my windshield while I was driving, I might crash. No joke.

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My fb friend I was speaking of earlier just called herself miss nurse. Ugh I'm so irritated. I did just ask if she was an lvn/RN because that's an "awesome accomplishment". I da*n well know she's a CNA and there's nothing wrong with that!

Did you ask it on fb? Would love to see her reply lol.

I can just imagine putting on fb that I'm a doctor, and my entire family responding with a bunch of raised eyebrow emojis. I'm laughing just thinking of it.

I mean does your fb friend really think everyone on her friends list will believe that? On the one gand, laughable. On the other....so so illegal

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I HATE spiders though. If one was on my windshield while I was driving, I might crash. No joke.

You would not be the first.

Arachnophobic driver caused fatal crash after spider fell in lap, court hears | UK news | The Guardian

This one is just all sorts of messed up: Spider scare causes bus crash | WANE

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I wouldn't say I have a phobia of clowns. I certainly hate them and think that they are the creepiest things ever, but not to the extent of a phobia. I HATE spiders though. If one was on my windshield while I was driving, I might crash. No joke.

I like 'em.

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I hope your Mom is okay!

Mom's doing fine, they had to make three passes.

At discharge, I asked if my mom was supposed to take her aspirin tomorrow, since the d/c instructions said no NSAIDs d/t increased risk of bleeding. The MA said "I think it would be okay, they are different types of medications. "

I know that, sweetie. Now please have the Nurse or MD get back to me about it, yeah?

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*shudders* There was a huge one in my sink one morning. I just about cried. I could barely reach over to the faucet to drown it. I'm still waiting for it to crawl back up the pipe.

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Specializes in Telemetry.
*shudders* There was a huge one in my sink one morning. I just about cried. I could barely reach over to the faucet to drown it. I'm still waiting for it to crawl back up the pipe.

I had one in the tub I tried to drown. It. just. would . not . die. I started calling him the John McClane of spiders.

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A CNA is a certified nurse assistant, granted we don't administer meds or shouldn't, yet we are trained in the medical field with procedures and terminology yes the studied should continue to become licenced but everyone starts somewhere and I think it's a unity like cops brothers in blue, yes I am an x police officer, it's giving back and tending to the care of the patients that is a common goal so not to take credit away from RNs or LVNs ,CNA and MA do have a place in the nursing realm. ..Together we stand, divided we fall.

1st, none of us have the intension to create a devicive work environment. We simply don't want unlicensed assistive personnel portraying themselves as nurses for patient safety reasons, and personal reasons (like diminishing the work we nurses went through to get our license.)

2nd, we all have stated the value of and the appreciation we have for MAs and CNAs. But yes, many of us get riled up on this issue, and it may seem like we might not like ALL CNAs and MAs because of all the comments on threads like these. However, we are only referring to those who credit themselves as a nurse. As The Title Of The Thread Reads. We don't just randomly start bashing any and all assistive personnel.

Third, you stated that CNAs should move up and become licenced. Why? There is nothing wrong with being a CNA. It is an admirable job helping others the way they (and I, used) to do. I know CNAs who get asked, "So when are you going to nursing school?" That to me, and the CNAs I'm speaking of, is offensive. There is nothing wrong with being a CNA.

Lastly, your police analogy does not fit in this scenario. First, you are a police Officer. Then Sergeant, Lieutenant, and so on. The difference is, the first rank, the police OFFICER, IS police. Nursing has a tier that starts with LPNs, then RN and so on. CNAs do not fall under this tier per your analogy, as they are not nurses.

The first rank, police officer, is police. The first rank in ancillary is a CNA, but not part of the nursing tier.

I love (most) CNAs and the work they do. Again, I was one. Damn proud of it. Just stop with the misleading of the public with your actual title and scope of practice, and be proud of what you are.

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Specializes in critical care.

The only thing worse than finding a spider while driving is then losing said spider.

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Wow lets not get ugly and say CNA or MA is not part of the nursing realm it's a step towards becoming license I'm continuing to achieve my LVN , AND I encourage CNAs and MAs to do the same if they wish but come on lets not be ugly and undermine those of us who do respect the TITLE done people like cops become badge heavy same with ALL professions and yea there are nurses who think they should be doctors cuz of the responsibility they endure yet do not have the TITLE either way just keep striving for better and know who you call friend

The nurses I know do not want the title nor the responsibility of a doctor. And undermining? Look at the one who is undermining titles. YOU are by saying CNAs should become nurses. If one wants to be a life time CNA, there is nothing wrong with that. Should they continue learning within their scope as changes occur? Absolutely. But I know some CNAs that would love to pick a fight with you on your thoughts of remaining a CNA.

CNAs are part of the nursing department because they work directly under the supervision of nurses and are delegated to by nurses. Being a CNA within the nursing department, does NOT make one a nurse!

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